Meet Stephen
Supporting Your Path to Clarity and Transformation
Stephen Thomas, MSW, LCSW
It’s been a journey. I never expected to be a therapist, but looking back, it all makes sense.
Before arriving here, I worked as a stagehand, writer, community organizer, and environmentalist—an eclectic path, but always fueled by a passion for connection, whether between people, ideas, or the natural world. Along the way, I’ve faced fear, doubt, and despair—asking myself: Where am I going? What’s wrong with me? Am I strong enough to make it through? I’ve learned from these inflection points that real growth happens when we are most challenged. And when we trust ourselves to step into the unknown, the path rises to meet us.
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke
Becoming a therapist has been the gift of a lifetime, and I’m honored to give back by helping others find their way forward. My approach is relational and integrative, rooted in curiosity, presence, humor, and a deep appreciation for the mystery that holds us all.
I tailor each session to your unique needs and draw from a range of modalities, including:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Mindfulness-based approaches
Psychedelic-assisted therapies
I specialize in helping adults navigate life's challenges and move through places that feel impossibly stuck—whether that manifests as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, or existential concerns.
As a Certified Addiction Specialist, I have experience supporting those struggling with substance use alongside psychological distress. With a background in meditation and yoga, I also integrate mind-body practices to foster deeper self-awareness and psychospiritual growth.
My Path with Psychedelics
My personal and professional experience with psychedelics spans nearly 30 years. I have trained with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in MDMA therapy for PTSD, served as a clinical trial therapist, and contributed to research on LSD for anxiety disorders.
Since 2021, I have provided ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) and remain humbled by the power and beauty of this medicine to support healing and wholeness.
For six years, I served on the board of directors for the Nowak Society, a Colorado nonprofit fostering community in the psychedelic space. I am also a co-founder of the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute, where I direct KAP training programs. My work in this field is grounded in a deep commitment to ethics, risk reduction, and honoring the sacred nature of psychedelic healing.
The Way Is Open
I am continually inspired by the strength and wisdom within each client I meet. Though fear and pain may tell us otherwise, I believe we all have an inherent ability to reshape our relationship with ourselves and the world around us, opening the door to greater freedom and fulfillment.
If something in these words resonates with you, your process is already underway. It would be my privilege to walk alongside you, step by step, in building the life you deeply desire.
Education & Training
Education
Master of Social Work – May 2019 Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Bachelor of Arts in English, summa cum laude – May 2005 Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Professional Training & Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Colorado (Active, in good standing)
Certified Addiction Specialist – Colorado (Active, in good standing)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 Training – 2024 , Internal
Family Systems Institute, St. Charles, ILKetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Training Certification – 2019, Ketamine Training Center, Boulder, CO
Basic Mediation Training (42-hour course) – 2014, Our Family Services, Tucson, AZ
Nonviolent Communication Training – 2013 , Instructor: Sylvia Haskvitz, MA, RD, Tucson, AZ